Complement components C3 and C4 - serum

Last updated: Monday, 29, May, 2006

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Item Process
Specimen

5mL blood in plain tube.

The specimen should be placed once and transported immediately to the laboratory.

Method

Immunoassay.

Functional assay if primary deficiency is suspected.

Reference Interval

C3: 0.9-1.8 g/L
C4: 0.16-0.50 g/L.

Application

Monitoring activity of immune complex mediated disease eg, SLE, cryoglobulinaemia.

Detection of primary deficiency of C3 or C4 (rare).

Assessment of angioedema, see also C1 Inhibitor.

Interpretation

Reduced C4 with or without reduced C3: activation by classical pathway (eg, SLE, immune complex disease).
Reduced C3 with normal C4: activation by the alternative pathway (eg, sepsis, endotoxin).
Raised C3 and/or C4: acute phase response.

Reference

Giglas P. In: Rose NR et al eds. Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. 5th ed. ASM Press 1997.

Wen L et al. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2004; 113: 585-93.